Housing policy for all orders of government is evolving in response to the continuing crisis in housing affordability and attainability. To support and accelerate further development, UBCM will host a province-wide housing summit at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre on April 4-5, 2023. The conference will assist in the identification of solutions to address gaps in current policy, strengthen intergovernmental collaboration, and highlight best practices for local government.
The two-day summit is open to local elected officials and staff; provincial leadership and staff; First Nations leadership; not-for-profit leaders; and industry.
The two-day summit will operate similarly to a UBCM convention, with a mix of keynote addresses, panel presentations, and workshops. Input will be sought from local government delegates on a variety of topics to inform the updating and enhancement of UBCM’s 2018 housing strategy. UBCM is engaging with the Province of B.C. on agenda development and looks forward to robust provincial participation in the program.
The summit will be focused on engagement on the key policy issues that define local government roles in the housing system, but will also offer valuable learning opportunities. It will feature a full agenda addressing critical housing issues that include:
- Densification, upzoning, community amenity and infrastructure needs,
- Rural and northern challenges and opportunities,
- Housing and local government finance,
- Indigenous housing needs,
- Homelessness, supportive housing and complex care,
- Climate change implications, and
- Approvals streamlining best practices.
We look forward to welcoming local government elected officials and planning staff together with representatives from all sectors involved in the delivery of housing to connect, collaborate, and contribute to these issues.
Details on registration, accommodation, keynotes, panellists and the program will roll out over the coming weeks. We are very excited to build the agenda for this event and look forward to welcoming delegates to Vancouver in April.